Tagging asylum seekers could breach their human rights, campaigners warn

Campaigners have warned that the government’s plans to
electronically tag asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers could
breach their human rights, writes Amy
Taylor.

Ministers are planning to run tagging pilots in England, Wales and
Scotland starting in the Autumn but this timescale could shift
depending on progress with the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of
Claimants, etc.) Bill, which contains the measures, becomes
law.

The bill had its third reading in the House of Lords last
week.

Asylum seekers who could be tagged are those who are waiting for a
decision on their asylum claim who the immigration authorities
believe may abscond. Failed asylum seekers waiting to be deported
or sent home could also be tagged. A Home Office spokesperson said
that plans only applied to adults.

“We have got very serious human rights concerns on tagging
asylum seekers,” said Shami Chakrabarti director of human
rights organisation Liberty. She added that as well as the
interference with asylum seekers’ liberty the tags would be
stigmatising.

Chakrabarti went on to highlight that the pilots would be the first
time that tagging would be used outside the criminal justice system
in the UK.